Pipe bending: technology description, features and methods

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

A plastic pipe is a PVC product with a reinforcing layer inside. Thanks to the rapid development of modern technology, such materials quickly replaced heavy and bulky cast iron pipes from the construction industry. Therefore, at home, when arranging underfloor heating and installing a water supply system, the question often arises of how to bend pipes. You will find a description of the technology, features and methods of working with PVC pipes in our article.

Plastic pipe bending methods

When carrying out work on changing the configuration of pipes of various sections, tension occurs in the upper plastic layer, which leads to cracking of the reinforcing metal inside the hose. Therefore, in order to avoid external or internal damage during the pipe bending process, some special techniques and recommendations must be applied.

The main options for the correctplastic pipe bending counts:

• application of bending machine;
• manual bending;
• use sand;
• work with specially selected spring;
• heating the bend with a building dryer.

The use of sand and heating is both an independent method and an additional auxiliary method for the PVC pipe bending process.

Manual pipe bending

To avoid marriage during the work of bending metal-plastic products, it is necessary to have sufficient physical strength and strictly observe a certain technology.

So, you need to manually bend the pipe as follows:

• take a piece of pipe with both hands at the ends of the intended bend;
• carefully make a bend to an angle of 20º;
• shift the pressing force to the right or left of the formed corner;
• do a 20º bend again;
• make several small mini-bends until the desired angle of the workpiece is reached.

Bending pipes in one step can break the workpiece. To maintain the desired angle, you need to bend the pipe a little more, and then return it to its original position. If you want to straighten the pipe, all operations must be done in reverse order, taking special care. This method is easily applied to pipes with a diameter of up to 20 mm, but it will be difficult to make blanks of a larger section manually.

Using a mechanical device

Mechanicalpipe bending is ideal for reconfiguring a workpiece at home, but doing a one-time job is not justified from an economic point of view. With the help of the machine, you can get an impeccably even bend of various types of products without applying much physical effort.

Hose bending technology is as follows:

• set the required bending angle in the machine-crossbow;
• insert a piece of the workpiece so that the bend is in the center of the device;
• slowly press the handle of the mechanism to give the desired angle.

Depending on the drive, bending devices are divided into the following types:

• manual, which are designed to work with pipes of small diameter made of polymeric material, stainless steel or non-ferrous metal;
• hydraulic units allow you to bend workpieces of larger diameter;
• electromechanical fixtures are capable of bending pipes of various diameters and high accuracy.

Bending a pipe with a spring

In this method, the role of a shock absorber is performed by a spring of the required diameter. It is the spring ribs that protect the reinforcing layer of the pipe from wrinkling and damage. Usually such a device is sold in pairs (external and internal parts). The diameter of the device is selected according to the size of the workpiece, and it is better to choose a spring with O-rings.

To make it easier to insert the pipe into the outer part of the spring, the manufacturer expanded one end of it. The inner spring has one conicalan end that provides easy access to the bend, and a loop at the other end for easy removal of the spring after work.

Spring Bending Technology:

• tie the cord to the loop and insert the inner spring into the pipe;
• the outer spring is put on the workpiece;
• smoothly bend the pipe to the desired angle;
• at the end of the bend, open the corner a little and take out the fixture.

In order for the polyethylene inside the pipe to bend evenly, the whole process must be carried out carefully, with smooth swaying movements. The same technological principle is incorporated in the bending of the pipe with the help of wire. The restraining element is a piece of soft wire of a suitable section. The main thing is not to forget to tie a cord to one end to remove the wire after work.

Improve the quality of the bend with sand and hair dryer

The method of bending blanks using sand can be called an additional tool to reduce rejects when changing the configuration of the pipe. This method is very similar to manual work, only here sand is poured into the inner space of the pipe, which prevents the workpiece from deforming.

Bending with sand:

• one end of the pipe is carefully sealed;
• blank filled with fine sand;
• the second end is carefully sealed;
• the product is smoothly bent to the desired angle;
• after completion of workall plugs are removed, sand spills out of the pipe.

Using a building hair dryer, you can heat the bend of the hose to facilitate the process of bending the workpiece to a certain angle. The main thing is not to overheat the plastic pipe.

How to bend a profile pipe

A pipe that has a shape other than a round section is called a profile pipe. It can be square, rectangular, oval or hexagonal.

Despite the seeming ease of work, bending a profile pipe can cause some problems:

• inner side may become pleated;
• the outer wall will break;
• the workpiece will lose the alignment of the elements when bent.

Currently, there are two ways to change the profile blank configuration - hot and cold. In the first case, the bending process is carried out only on a heated pipe. This technological solution significantly increases the plasticity of the material and facilitates its bending. The second method is used on the product without prior exposure to the heating element.

Corrugated pipes

Flexible corrugated PVC pipe is used for installation of electrical wiring in open and hidden way. The operation of such pipes is possible both outdoors and inside an industrial or residential building.

To improve protection against mechanical damage and aggressive substances, double-walledflexible pipes. Their distinguishing feature is a large ring rigidity. The inner wall of the pipe is smooth and the outer side is corrugated.

Any of these methods of bending plastic and profile pipes has been successfully used by craftsmen for more than a year. The main thing when doing work is to remain calm and do it without haste.